Evaluation of the skin-to-heart distance in the standing adult by two-dimensional echocardiography

Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography : Official Publication of the American Society of Echocardiography
Peter S Rahko

Abstract

An electromuscular incapacitating device (EMD) delivers pulses of high-voltage electricity, causing strong muscle contraction. Data from a pig model suggest that an EMD dart tip placed within 17 mm of the epicardial surface can cause ventricular fibrillation. The current study estimates minimum skin-to-heart distance in the adult, to determine whether individuals might be at risk for ventricular fibrillation from an EMD. We performed 2-dimensional echocardiograms in 150 standing adults in the parasternal, apical, and subcostal views. From each view, the shortest linear skin-to-heart distance was measured. Average skin-to-heart distances were: parasternal 32.1 +/- 7.9 mm; apical 31.3 +/- 11.3 mm; and subcostal 70.8 +/- 22.3 mm. There were 9 (6%) individuals with a skin-to-heart distance less than or equal to 17 mm. The skin-to-heart distance was significantly correlated with body mass index: parasternal r = 0.57, apical r = 0.55 (P < .0001). An EMD dart penetrating the skin directly over the heart might put individuals at risk for ventricular fibrillation.

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Citations

Jun 5, 2014·Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology·Donald M DawesJames R Miner
Jan 13, 2010·Journal of Medical Engineering & Technology·H SunJ G Webster
Oct 19, 2019·Advanced Healthcare Materials·Ying YiKenichi Takahata
Aug 29, 2018·Sensors·Natiely Hernández-SebastiánWilfrido Calleja-Arriaga
Jun 30, 2018·Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology·Sebastian N KunzMark W Kroll
Nov 27, 2020·Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine·Donald M DawesLauren R Klein
Jun 30, 2021·Nature Biotechnology·Yeon Sik ChoiJohn A Rogers

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